According to the Energy Information Administration, many people experience a 50% increase in energy bills in winter. Since heating is an essential element in winter, you will have to keep your home warm throughout the cold season. However, you can take several measures to avoid paying high energy bills. Read on to learn about minimizing energy usage in winter.
Why is Your Heating Cost High in the Winter?
Several reasons could affect your heating bills in winter. It could be the frequency in which you use your furnace, your eating habits, the size of your home and areas that require heating, the state of your house, such as poor insulation that could lead to air leaks within the home.
How to Minimize Heating Bills
Upgrade Your Furnace
The age of your furnace matters a lot. If the unit is old, you will likely experience higher energy bills than someone with a modern unit. It’d be best to upgrade your unit to avoid incurring high energy bills. While it may cost you more to replace, you will save more money on heating bills once you install the system.
Wear Warm Clothing
Keeping warm during winter will help you spend less on energy bills. You won’t have to use the furnace all the time since your body will keep warm with heavy clothing. Advise your family members to keep warm throughout the day and night by wearing long-sleeved shirts, heavy pants and socks.
Insulate Your Home
If there are open areas in your home, your furnace will heat longer to meet your desired temperature settings. The more the unit heats, the higher the heating bills. Therefore, insulate each open area in your home. Seal cracks and all openings around doors, windows and pipes.
The Bottom Line
If you plan to replace your HVAC or repair your existing unit to prepare for the winter, you may want to involve a professional for exceptional results. Contact us today for all your HVAC needs, and we will be glad to attend to you and help you minimize heating bills in the winter.